From left, actress Song Yoon-ah holds a bouquet of flowers after receiving her Andre Kim Best Star Award; actress Kim Ah-joong, looking lovely in a pale pink gown, was one of the top celebrities who received the Andre Kim Best Star Award; and actor Kim Bum, who rose to fame as part of the F4 in the hit TV drama “Boys Over Flowers,” smiles after receiving the Andre Kim Best Star Award. / Courtesy of Andre Kim’s atelie

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Christmas filled the air, as renowned Korean designer Andre Kim opened the doors of his new design atelier in Giheung, Gyeonggi Province, with a memorable Best Star Awards and Christmas fashion show.

As guests walked through the white wrought iron gates of Kim's property, they were immediately greeted by the sight of a giant Christmas tree filled with twinkling lights.

Kim said he wanted to create a fairytale-like world, which is why he filled the courtyard with Christmas trees, ice sculptures and even a white train. ``Unlike the indoor ateliers, this space allows people to take pleasure not just from fashion but also with nature,'' Kim said.

The atelier is a two-storey white building, surrounded by tall trees, an expansive garden dotted with stone sculptures, and even a waterfall and pond. In contrast to the chilly air outside, the white interiors exude a warm but luxurious atmosphere.

For the first time, Kim staged his annual Best Star Awards and Christmas Fashion Art Collection at the outdoor courtyard of the atelier. The guest list included celebrities, foreign dignitaries and media, who marveled at the gleaming Christmas decor while keeping warm by wrapping themselves in cream knit blankets.

``Coming to this place is like going to a winter wonderland. It's so beautiful,'' Bjorg Skorstad, wife of Norwegian ambassador Didrik Tonseth, told The Korea Times.

The evening began with a fashion show featuring Kim's Christmas collection. As snow swirled in the air, models walked the catwalk wearing fur-trimmed coats, rich colored evening wear, elegant dresses and beautiful wedding gowns, all of which radiated the romanticism that Kim is known for.

However, the night's main event was the Best Star Awards 2010. Kim handed out awards to actors, actresses and sports stars, in recognition of their talent and contributions to culture, arts and sports development in Korea and around the world, as well as humanitarian efforts.

The Female Star Awards were given to some of the most beautiful actresses: Song Yoon-ah, Han Chae-young, Koo Hye-sun, Kim Ah-joong and Lee Bo-young.

Song wore a luxurious white gown with a fur-trimmed jacket, while Han showed off her hourglass figure in a stunning purple evening gown. Koo, the heroine of the hit TV drama ``Boys Over Flowers,'' looked cute in a bright yellow mini-dress, while Kim wore a pale pink off-shoulder gown decorated with ribbons.

The Male Star Award winners included Kim Bum, Lee Sang-woo, Jung Kyung-ho, Lee Wan, Yoo Seung-ho, Park Jin-woo and Jung Gyu-woon. SBS male announcer Choi Ki-hwan was also given a special award. Kim, who was one of the F4 in ``Boys Over Flowers,'' flashed a boyish smile as he walked down the red carpet.

The night's biggest honor, the Super Artist Award, went to actress Jeon Do-yeon. Jeon won the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award in 2007 and was recently given the Order of Arts and Letters medal from France. However, she was unable to attend the awards show.

Top golf stars Shin Ji-yai and Park Sang-hyun were also at the event to accept their awards. Shin, who was recently named LPGA Rookie of the Year, wore a classic white Andre Kim suit and had a big smile as she thanked Kim for the award.

Figure skating sensation Kim Yu-na, who is training for the Winter Olympics in Canada, was also given an award, but could not make it. Her father accepted the award on her behalf.